Premier Sandy Silver met the federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Northern Affairs and Internal Trade Dominic LeBlanc in Whitehorse yesterday to discuss strategies for strengthening the North for the benefit of Yukoners and all Canadians.
Topics of discussion included ensuring the federal government’s Investing in Canada infrastructure plan fits Yukon’s circumstances, such as allowing for the higher cost of developing infrastructure in the North and the need to meet Yukon First Nations Self-Government Agreement obligations.
Premier Silver also offered the Government of Yukon’s perspective on the federal government’s Arctic Policy Framework and emphasized the need for decision making about the North to involve northerners.
This morning, Minister of Education Tracy-Anne McPhee and Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai accompanied Minister LeBlanc on a tour of Yukon College’s Ayamdigut campus in Whitehorse.
It was a pleasure to welcome Minister LeBlanc to Yukon and have the opportunity to provide him with a clearer idea of our unique circumstances here in the territory, particularly our government-to-government relationship with Yukon First Nations and the innovative ways Yukoners are strengthening the economy. I am encouraged by the recent creation of this new federal department, and to have it led by Minister LeBlanc, as this supports a more complete approach to the territorial-federal relationship. I believe our work to build a strong relationship with the federal government is showing results and that Yukon is seeing a renewed focus from Ottawa.
Premier Sandy Silver
The Government of Canada's new Intergovernmental Affairs, Northern Affairs and Internal Trade portfolio was established last month under Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
This was the Minister’s first visit to Yukon in his new role. The Premier invited Minister LeBlanc to Yukon when they met briefly during the Council of the Federation summer meeting in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, in July 2018.
Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca
Ben Horowitz
Communications, Executive Council Office
867-667-8466
ben.horowitz@gov.yk.ca